Rail cushion tracts

ABSTRACT

The present invention is referred to as a Lego-style system for football or other athletic sports footwear. The Lego style system may join, snap, combine, and connect to form limitless options based on individual footing profiles. The tracking system may snap to the railing tracts molded underneath the athletic shoe that they utilize.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.62/930,578, filed May 11, 2019, the entirety of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to sporting equipment. Moreparticularly, the present invention is related to shoes with speciallydesigned shoes for improving the stability, performance, and durabilityof the shoes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A problem existing with conventional athletic shoes is that their designfails to take into account that different shock loads are applied todifferent areas of the sole of the foot of a participant during variousforms of athletic endeavours, as for example during running, playingbasketball, tennis, etc. It is known that in most athletic endeavoursthe heel and forefoot areas of the foot receive more intense shock loadsthan other areas of the foot including the arch and toe areas. Forexample, in running shoes, it is known that the runner's foot usuallycontacts the ground by engaging the heel first, then with the side ofthe foot and then with the forefoot such that the greater shock loadsare absorbed first by the heel area of the sole portion of the shoe andlast by the forefoot area.

In other athletic shoe constructions, for example, in basketball shoes,even more, intense shock loads are applied at the heel area as a resultof landing on the foot after jumping. Athletic shoe constructions todate, however, have not included any separate shock-absorbing elementsin those areas of the sole portions of the shoes subject to greatershock loads where the shock-absorbing properties of the elements atthose areas differ from any shock-absorbing properties of the remainingareas of the sole portions.

Athletic shoes are specifically designed to be worn for participating invarious sports. Since friction between the foot and the ground is animportant force in most sports, modern athletic shoes are designed tomaximize this force, and materials, such as rubber, are used. Although,for some activities such as dancing or bowling, sliding is desirable, soshoes designed for these activities often have lower coefficients offriction. The earliest athletic shoes date back to the mid-19^(th)century was track spikes—leather shoes with metal cleats on the soles toprovide increased friction during running. Spikes were eventually addedto shoes for baseball and American football in the 20th century. Golfersalso use shoes with small metal spikes on their soles to preventslipping during their swing.

By 1964, manufacturers introduced many new improvements common in modernrunning shoes, such as rubber waffle soles, breathable nylon uppers, andcushioning in the mid-sole and heel. During the 1970s, the expertise ofpodiatrists also became important in athletic shoe design, to implementnew design features based on how feet reacted to specific actions, suchas running, jumping, or side-to-side movement.

While several improvements are being made by shoe manufacturers, most ofthem are made for the masses with the idea of “one design fits for all”to push mass production thereby reducing manufacturing costs. There is aneed for improving user comfort and durability while designing shoes asthe requirements of each person varies. For example, the pressure pointson the foot may be different for different individuals and hence acommon design might not work for everyone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus a general object of the present invention to provide runningshoes which overcome or at least substantially reduce the disadvantagesinherent in the prior art running shoes

The present invention describes techniques for increasing stability,comfort, and durability of sports shoes. The techniques use differenttypes of design and material variations for manufacturing the bottomsoles of the shoes. More particularly, the technique described railcushion tracts that are made of moulded rubber tracts from acrylonitrilestyrene acrylate also called acrylic styrene acrylonitrile. The railcushion tract may also be referred to as a Lego-style system for thefootball and other athletic sports footwear. The Lego style system mayjoin, snap, combine, and connect to form limitless options based onindividual footing profiles.

The tracking system may snap to the railing tracts moulded underneaththe athletic shoe that they utilize.

The present disclosure describes two types of tracts, a Lego type tractthat may be utilized in any type of design, pattern, and arrangementbased on an individual's comfort zone.

Additionally, a square type tract is proposed which shall have similarfunctions as that of Lego type tracts, except for the designmodification wherein square-shaped tracts are provided underneath thefootwear.

It is another object of this invention to create a new and improveddesign associated with the fabrication and construction of an athleticshoe sole wherein there is prevented the creating of additional stressand strain upon the lower extremities of the wearer of same due toadverse resistance caused by adverse compression or expansioncharacteristics of said sole at the metatarsophalangeal joint area.

The objects and advantages of the invention are set forth in part hereinand in part will be obvious here from, or may be learned by practice ofthe invention, the same being realized and attained by means of theinstrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements,combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separateviews, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated inand form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrateembodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention, and explainvarious principles and advantages of those embodiments.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a square type track shoe sole that is leftempty.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a square type track shoe sole that isfilled with cushioning material.

FIG. 3 is an artistic illustration of the shoe described in FIG. 1(empty tracts).

FIG. 4 describes the second type of sole, the figure described bothunfilled and filled version of this sole.

FIG. 5 describes an exemplary illustration of the dimensions of a shoesole with a lego type tract.

FIG. 6 described an exemplary illustration of the dimensions of a shoewith a square type tract.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description of the embodiments of the invention,reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof,and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments inwhich the invention may be practised. These embodiments are described insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice theinvention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may beutilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scopeof the present invention. The following detailed description is,therefore, not to be taken in a limited sense.

In the present disclosure, Rail Cushion Tracts are moulded rubber tractsfrom acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA) also called acrylicstyrene-acrylonitrile, which is a thermoplastic developed as analternative to acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The advantage ofASA in comparison to ABS is that ASA is much more weather resistant.Herein, the acrylate rubber differs from the butadiene based rubber dueto the absence of double bonds. This allows ASA based material toprovide around ten times the weathering resistance and resistance toultraviolet radiation in comparison to ABS. Further, it may possesshigher long-term heat resistance and better chemical resistance as well.ASA is significantly more resistant to environmental stress cracking incomparison to ABS. ASA has high outdoor weather ability, therebyretaining gloss and colour even if used under tough conditions. Themechanical properties of the product stay effective even with outdoorexposure. ASA further has good chemical and heat resistance, high gloss,good antistatic properties, and is tough and rigid.

The Rail Cushion Tracts may also be referred to as a Lego-style systemfor football or other athletic sports footwear. The Lego style systemmay join, snap, combine, and connect to form limitless options based onindividual footing profiles. The tracking system may snap to the railingtracts moulded underneath the athletic shoe that they utilize.

The rail cushion tracts may be provided with a plastic gel cushionbubble that may be inserted into each tract. The cushion will helpabsorb shock and provide better weight distribution on pressure pointsof the athlete's foot.

The present disclosure describes two types of tracts, a Lego type tractthat may be utilized in any type of design, pattern, and arrangementbased on an individual's comfort zone. Additionally, a square type tractis proposed which shall have similar functions as that of Lego typetracts, except for the design modification wherein square-shaped tractsare provided underneath the footwear. While Lego type tracts may bearranged in different combination according to the user's foot profile,the square type tracts may be filled with plastic gel cushion bubbles toaid user comfort. The square type tracts may also be designed toaccommodate different patterns to aid the user in managing weightdistribution and shock absorption on pressure points. The tract size mayvary, ranging from 1-3 inches in length. The depth of the rail cushionstracts maybe around 0.5-1.5 inches. Depending on the user'srequirements, these measurements may be varied. For example, runningbacks would have over linch depth with Inches long tracts placed infront and sides for performing explosive cuts and pivots on the turf.

In one example, for an athlete with an average weight of about 300 pluspounds, the rail tracts maybe 2 inches long around the shoe (similar toa horseshoe type fit). At the same time, the middle base may have0.5-1.24 inches long tracts to support the massive amount of forcedriving through their feet into the turf. The cushion bubble wouldabsorb the shock and support the movement for traction, quick cuts, andpivots. This way, athletes/players will get cushion based shockabsorption and even weight distribution for their feet. Such a designwill provide the stability and decrease the possibility of turf toeinjury of the individual who utilizes this footwear.

Referring to figures, FIG. 1 is an illustration of a square type trackshoe sole that is left empty. Herein, air cushion bubbles are notinserted into the tracts. FIG. 2 is an illustration of a square typetrack shoe sole that is filled with cushioning material. The cushioningmaterial may be inserted depending on the requirement. They shall act asshock absorbers and further aid in even weight distribution. FIG. 3 isan artistic illustration of the shoe described in FIG. 1 (empty tracts).

As described earlier, Lego type tracts may be snapped and combined toprovide different combinations depending on the user's requirements.They are heavily customizable is an artistic illustration of a shoe thatincorporates a sole with Lego type tract.

FIG. 4 describes the second type of sole, the figure described bothunfilled and filled version of this sole. The cushioning provided heremay be incorporated into the tracts and provide for shock absorption andeven weight distribution.

FIG. 5 describes an exemplary illustration of the dimensions of a shoesole with Lego type tract. FIG. 6 described an exemplary illustration ofthe dimensions of a shoe with a square type tract. The dimensionsdescribed herein are merely exemplary in nature and does not limit thescope of the present invention. Depending on the shoe size, thesedimensions shall vary. The example herein is merely for the purpose ofillustration.

Furthermore, geometric shapes may be incorporated onto the tracts (insquare type tracts) to further increase stability and safety. Squareshape, rectangle shape, oval shape, circle shape, X-shape, and/orT-shaped support may be incorporated into the tracts to further improvestability based on the user's foot profile. Reference may be made toFIGS. 5 and 6 to identify such shoes. A customized sole and tract may bedesigned based on height, weight, foot profile, and other requirementsto improve safety and performance while using such shoes.

A person ordinarily skilled in the art may be able to understand varioususe cases of the pillow and apply them accordingly in real-lifeconditions. The illustration, examples and use cases described hereindoes not affect the scope of the invention.

It may be noted that the above-described examples of the presentsolution are for the purpose of illustration only. Although the solutionhas been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment thereof,numerous modifications may be possible without materially departing fromthe teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein.Other substitutions, modifications, and changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present solution. All the featuresdisclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims,abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or processso disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinationswhere at least some of such features and/or steps are mutuallyexclusive.

The terms “include,” “have,” and variations thereof, as used herein,have the same meaning as the term “comprise” or an appropriate variationthereof. Furthermore, the term “based on”, as used herein, means “basedat least in part on.” Thus, a feature that is described as based on somestimulus can be based on the stimulus or a combination of stimuliincluding the stimulus.

The present description has been shown and described with reference tothe foregoing examples. It is understood, however, that other forms,details, and examples can be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the present subject matter.

The specification may refer to “an”, “one” or “some” embodiment(s) inseveral locations. This does not necessarily imply that each suchreference is to the same embodiment(s), or that the feature only appliesto a single embodiment. A single feature of different embodiments mayalso be combined to provide other embodiments.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well unless expressly stated otherwise. Itwill be further understood that the terms “includes”, “comprises”,“including” and/or “comprising” when used in this specification, specifythe presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elementsand/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or”includes any and all combinations and arrangements of one or more of theassociated listed items.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It willbe further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoe sole structure comprising using RailCushion Tracts
 1. An improved design for an athletic shoe sole asdescribed in claim 1, less possibility of the shoes to sink into theturf thereby avoiding injury to the users.
 2. An improved design for anathletic shoe sole as described in claim 1, air cushion bubbles absorbsshock and provides even weight distribution.
 3. An improved design foran athletic shoe sole as described in claim 1, increased balance,stability, and traction to body movement.
 4. An improved design for anathletic shoe sole as described in claim 1, decreased chances ofimpairment due to ebb and flow, cuts, pivots, etc. from the turf.
 5. Animproved design for an athletic shoe sole as described in claim 1,stabilize extreme pressure points of feet which would enhanceflexibility, durability, function of the athlete as well as the shoe. 6.An improved design for an athletic shoe sole as described in claim 1,overall increase in athlete safety.